Crossing signal



J. S. VAN BURKLEO Jan.

CROSSING SIGNAL Filed May 24, 1923 Patented Jan. 22, 1924 entree smrss JOSEPH S. VAN BURKLEO, DETROIT, TEXAS.

CROSSING SIGNAL.

Application filed May 24, 1923. Serial No. 641,170.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOSEPH S. VAN BURK- LEO, a citizen of the United States. residing at Detroit, in the county of Red River, State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Crossing Signal; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full. clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to crossing signals and has for its object to provide a device of this character comprising an upright disposed adjacent a crossing, on which upright bell is disposed adjacent a pivoted striker arm and depressible members pivotally mounted adjacent one of the rails at opposite sides of the crossing and having wire connections with the pivoted striker arm,

i whereby said arm may be moved against the action of the spring for sounding the bell. The pivoted depressible members so positioned that the wheel flanges of a train will depress the same and impart pulls on the wires as each wheel of a train passes over the same, thereby intermittently sounding the bell until the train is well past the crossing.

A further object is to form the pivoted depressible members from a single piece of material having a horizontal portion rockably mounted in a bearing of a tie beneath the rail, the outer end of the horizontal member being provided with a downwardly extending arm, to which one of the pull wires is connected. The other end of the horizontal member terminating in an upwardly extending arm on the inside of the rail, which arm terminates in an inwardly inclined portion and in a U-shaped member longitudinally disposed in relation to the rail, and having one of its arms curved and disposed adjacent the inner side of the tread of the rail.

With the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawing, described and claimed, it bein understood that changes in the precise em odiment of the invention may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View through a railway showing the signalling device applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of a portion of a rail and a tie and showing one of the rockable levers applied thereto.

Referring to the drawing the numeral 1 designates a conventional form of railway, 2 a rail thereof, and 3 transversely disposed cross ties. Disposed adjacent one side of the railway 1 and adjacent the crossing 4 is a standard 5, on which standard is placed a signalling bell 6, which bell is sounded for warning persons approaching the crossing.

The sounding of the bell is automatically accomplished upon the approach of a train over the railway from either direction. Pivotally mounted at 7 on the standard is a striker arm 8, the end 9 of which is adapted to be forced into engagement with the bell 6. However the end 9 is normally maintained out of engagement with the bell by means of a coiled spring 10, one end of which is connected to the end 11 of the striker arm 8, and the other end anchored at 12 to the standard 5. therefore it will be seen that under normal conditions the spring will maintain the striker arm in inoperative position and with its end 11 in engagement with the stop lug 13 carried by the standard 5.

Secured to the striker arm 8 at opposite sides of its pivotal point are wires 14 and 15, which wires extend in different directions at opposite sides of the crossing el and are supported in eyes 16 of chains 17, which chains are supported on supports 18 adjacent the side of the track. The wires are connected at 19 to downwardly extending arms 20 adjacent the ends of cross ties 3. Arms 20 are formed integral with horizontally disposed rock shafts 21, which rock shafts are rockably mounted in bearings 22 of the ties 3 and extend inwardly under the rail 2. The inner ends of the rock shafts 21 are bent to form upwardly and inwardly extending arms 23, which terminate in a plane adjacent the plane of the inner side of the rail tread 2 and are provided with integral U-shaped members 24, which U- shaped members are disposed in vertical planes in parallel relation to the plane of the inner side of the rail tread 2 and have their upper curved arms 25 disposed adjacent the rail tread 2'- in a position whereby the wheel 26, when it passes over the arm 25, the wheel flange 27 will en age the curved arm 25., reel; the rock sha t. 21 and impart a pull on either wire 14 or 15; It will be seen that as each wheel of the train passes over the device, the device will beintermittently operated,thereby sounding the bell intermittently at the crossing. During the intermittent operation of the device, the spring 10 will, after each eperation of the device, return the striker arm 8 to inoperative position as well as restore the U -shaped members 24 to normal position. It will be seen that the U-shaped members 24 by being disposed to the inner side of the rock shaft 21 will through the medium of its weight maintain the wires 14 and 15. substantially taut and free from slack.

From the above it will be seen that a crossing signal is provided, which signal simple in construction, the parts reduced to a minimum, thereby insuringa positive operation, and one wherein the device is actuated by the flanges of the, wheels of a train as it approaches the crossing.

Theinvention having been set forth, what is claimed as new. and useful, is

The combination with a train actuated crossing signal, of a depressible lever adapted to be engaged by a wheel flange and disposed adjacent the inner side of a rail, said lever comprising a rock shaft disposed beneath the rail, said rock shaft being rockably mounted in a bearing of the cross tie, the outer end of said rock shaft terminating in a downwardly extending arm, the inner end, of the rock shaft extending upwardly and inwardly towards the inner side of the rail, a U-shaped member carried by the upper end of the upwardly and inwardly extending portion oi the rock shaft and in a plane at a right angle to the rock shaft and in parallel relation to the plane of the in.- ner side of the rail, the upper arm of the U- shaped member being curved and disposed adjacent the inner side of the rail in the path of a wheel flange.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH S. VAN BURKLEO.

lVitnesses:

T. D. WILSON, F. D. INZER. 

